In response to the Hellenist/Seleucid�s sacrilegious program of religious intimidation, Matthias Hasmon and his five sons raised a rebellion against them. Led by his son Judas the Maccabee (�the Hammer�), the revolt honed guerrilla warfare to an art and, though greatly outnumbered, managed to drive most of the Greeks out of Jerusalem and its surrounding within two years. In 164 BC they retook the Temple, which they then rededicated to Yahweh worship, an event still celebrated in the eight-day long festival of Hanukkah (Chanukah) or, as John would call it, �the feast of Dedication� (Jn 10:22).
Not content with just the religious liberation they had achieved, the Hasmoneans went on to fight to free the land from the political control of the Seleucids. By now the shadow of a rising Roman empire was already creeping across the land. The Seleucid decided to cut their losses; they had Menalaus executed. When the Hasmoneans entered into an alliance with Rome in 161, the Seleucid knew that they had no choice but to let Judah go. In 152 BC they recognized Jonathan (who now headed the Hasmoneans family) as high-priest, and a little later, acknowledged his brother Simon as the ruler. The Hasmoneans would go on to establish an independent Jewish kingdom over a region almost as extensive as that of King David. But the days of Jewish independence would be short-lived. Politics never engendered long-lasting friendships. Rome, their ally, would end all of it for them.
Low Chai Hok
©Alberith, 2013